IAC County Commentary November/December 2001

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County Commentary

IN THIS ISSUE...

THE IDAHO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER MAY/JUNE 2011 | www.idcounties.org


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Contents IAC Board of Directors President Lee Staker Bonneville County

1st Vice President Erwin Sonnenberg Idaho County

2nd Vice President Patty Weeks Nez Perce County

Secretary Len Humphries Fremont County Immediate Past Pres. Sharon Cox Idaho County

Past President Patty Baucher Gooding County

Past President Lorin Nielsen Bannock County

Past President Abbie Mace Fremont County

Roger Christensen

Past President Lori Beck Butte County Assessors Rep. Mike McDowell Kootenai County

Past President

Clerks Rep. Sara Staub Bingham County

IACC Rep. Bill Brown Adams County

NACo/IACC Rep. Michele Sherrer Gem County WIR Past President Robert Cope Lemhi County

Gordon Cruickshank

Ada County Rep. Rick Yzaguirre Ada County

Canyon County Rep. Gene Kuehn Canyon County

District 1 Rep. Glenda Poston Boundary County

District 4 Rep. Paul Christensen Cassia County District 6 Rep. Carrie May Clark County

Legislative Priorities.................................................................................. 12 Clanedar of Events..................................................................................... 13

Association News: Award Winners’ Spotlight........................................... 15

Treasurers Rep. Ellen Sauer Shoshone County

District 2 Rep. Barb Fry Nez Perce County

Blaine County Spotlight............................................................................... 9

Past President Brent Bunn Bear Lake County

Sheriffs Rep. Shaun Gough Gooding County

Valley County

WIR Report.................................................................................................. 7

Association News: IAC Annual Conference Overview............................. 14

Prosecutors Rep. Kimron Torgerson Lewis County

WIR Rep.

NACo Corner............................................................................................... 5

Bonneville County

Coroners Rep. Duayne Sims Caribou County

Legislative Rep. Max Vaughn Minidoka County

President’s Welcome.................................................................................... 4

District 3 Rep. Marc Shigeta Payette County District 5 Rep. Steve Hadley Bannock County

Boise County Spotlight.............................................................................. 17 IAC Scholarship News............................................................................... 20 Culinary Roads Clip’n’Save Page............................................................. 21 Meet Your Legislators................................................................................ 22 ICRMP News............................................................................................. 24

IAC Staff

Treasurer Robert McQuade Ada County

November/December 2011

Executive Director Dan Chadwick dchadwick@idcounties.org

Deputy Director Tony Poinelli tpoinelli@idcounties.org

Marketing & Events Director Kristin Cundiff kcundiff@idcounties.org

Financial Officer Mary Hudson mhudson@idcounties.org

Policy Analyst Seth Grigg sgrigg@idcounties.org

Member Services Assistant Cailtin Rusche crusche@idcounties.org

Policy Analyst Kerry Ellen Elliott kelliott@idcounties.org

Member Services Assistant Morgan Hochstrasser mhochstrasser@idcounties.org

CAT Program Director Kathryn Mooney kmooney@idcounties.org

CAT Case Manager Carolyn Carder ccarder@idcounties.org

CAT Financial Coordinator Amanda Pendleton apendleton@idcounties.org

November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President. I consider it a true honor to represent you, the County-Elected Officials of Idaho, on the IAC Board of Directors. IAC offers many resources for officials and their staff. Their website is kept current with meeting agendas, conference dates, and various announcements. IAC staff are constantly networking throughout Idaho, answering caller questions, and organizing conferences. Publications are reviewed and updated frequently, educating new officials and also informing those who have stood the test of time. These resources provide guidance, but also serve as a starting point for discussion – utilizing what resources we have is part of our responsibility to our constituents. We must seize every opportunity to better educate ourselves so that we can in turn educate the public at large. I am excited to update you all about some new appointments to our committee chairs and vice chairs. Debbie Karren, Jefferson County Commissioner, is the new Health & Human Services Vice Chair. Barb Fry, Nez Perce County Treasurer, is the new Intergovernmental Affairs Chair. Jon Webber, Madison County Commissioner, will join Barb as the new Intergovernmental Affairs Vice Chair. Kimber Ricks, Madison County Commissioner, will Chair Justice & Public Safety. Joining Kimber is Paul Wilde, Bonneville County Sheriff, as Justice & Public Safety’s Vice Chair. Skip Hurt, Fremont County Commissioner, will serve as the Transportation Committee’s Vice Chair. I look forward to working with you all this legislative session and over the coming year. This session will bring many pieces of legislation forward that affect our counties. Remember to remain in contact with your legislators. The services we provide are in our care because there are some things that we cannot produce effectively as individuals, some goals that require a greater cooperation to achieve. As a community of officials our voice can be a strong proponent or deterrent in shaping, writing, and enacting public policy. Don’t forget to register for the upcoming IAC Midwinter Conference (February 6th - 9th)! This year our theme will be “Counties: Where the Rubber Meets the Road,” referring to what we all already know about Counties being the workhorses of government. Counties are where the constituency meets government face to face– a fact that we can all be proud of. Thank you again for the chance to serve,

Lee Staker

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COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011


NACo CORNER Three percent withholding law gets House repeal By Mike Belarmino NACo ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

T h e House o v e r whelmi n g l y passed H.R. 674 on Oct. 27 to repeal the 3 percent w i t h holding requirement — a provision in Section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act (TIPRA). It was a rare moment of bipartisanship in the Republican-controlled chamber. The vote was 405–16. The 3 percent withholding requirement was enacted when TIPRA was passed in 2005. NACo has strongly opposed the requirement ever since. It mandated many county governments, beginning in 2013, to start withholding 3 percent from payments for goods and services meeting specific criteria and then remit the withholdings to the U.S. Treasury. For counties, the law applies to jurisdictions that make payments of more than $100 million annually for property or services. It also provides a minimum threshold of $10,000 regarding which payments are subject to the 3 percent withholding requirement.. H.R. 2576 would essentially offset the $11 billion in revenue that TIPRA was expected to net the federal government in the decade after its implementation by changing certain health care-related laws. For example, it would adjust the income qualifications for purposes of determining eligibility for programs such as Medicaid. In a policy statement, the White House said repealing the withholding requirement would benefit government contractors by avoiding a decrease in their cash flow, allowing them to keep those funds to create jobs and pay suppliers. Attention now turns to the Senate, where the most recent action was a failed vote to invoke cloture on a bill (S. 1726)

introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The measure is identical to S. 164, introduced by Sen. Scott Brown (RMass.), which calls for full repeal of the 3 percent withholding requirement. While both sides of the aisle are supportive of repeal, the disagreement in the Senate generally focuses on the designated offset, which calls for a rescission of unobligated, discretionary funds. The remaining questions now are how soon the Senate will act to repeal and whether the offset approved by the House will be accepted. “I encourage the Senate to do the right thing and act quickly to pass this bill that will provide more certainty for the thousands of businesses who contract with federal, state and local governments,” Graves said. The last significant repeal efforts on the 3 percent withholding law occurred with the passage of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, where NACo was successful in achieving a one-year delay in implementation. Given the current economy, the requirement poses serious fiscal and administrative implications on county governments because no funding was provided for federal, state or local government entities to assist with implementation.

EPA reverses stance on farm dust air quality By Julie Ufner ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

The EPA announced it would not change air quality standards for coarse particles known as Particulate Matter 10, or PM-10. NACo was especially concerned about tighter regulation of particulate matter standards because regulating PM-10 — particles 2.5 to 10 micrometers in diameter — would include farm dust. Coarse dust particles are smaller than a human hair and typically come from crushing or grinding operations, and dust from paved and unpaved roads. NACo supports EPA’s decision because increased regulation would have been burdensome to many counties, especially those in rural areas. “This is an important issue for counties, especially rural counties who have dry climates or farming and ranching activities,” said Kathy Bessette, Hill County, Mont. commissioner and vice chair of NACo’s Agriculture and Rural AfNovember/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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NACo CORNER fairs Steering Committee. “This is a win for NACo and the member counties who expressed concerns about increased regulatory burdens through more stringent standards. However, we must stay vigilant on this issue, because the administration may still increase standards for fine particles PM.” EPA indicated it still plans to move forward with changes to the PM-2.5 (fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers) standard. NACo will monitor any proposed changes to PM-2.5 and will oppose any attempts by the EPA to regulate PM-2.5 at levels more stringent than current standards. EPA’s announcement was made in a letter from EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). It states the decision was made after consultation with both EPA scientists and the Clean Air Science Advisory Council. The reversal was decried by environmental and health groups who are worried about potential health risks associated with particulate-matter pollution. Some congressional Republicans and farm-state Democrats applauded the announcement, but others remain concerned about regulation of PM-2.5.

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COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

NACo and its members expressed concerns to EPA and Congress over the last year about the potential for increased regulation to negatively impact regular activities such as cars driving down dirt roads and agricultural practices that sustain local economies. Even natural events such as wildfires or wind storms contribute to PM levels. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) recently introduced the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011, H.R. 1633. This bill would prohibit EPA from proposing, finalizing, implementing or enforcing any regulation revising the national standards applicable to PM-10 under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for one year. The bill goes on to exempt classification of “nuisance dust” as a particulate matter as long as it is not regulated under state, tribal or local law, and the benefits of applying CAA standards to the dust outweigh the costs. Under the bill, nuisance dust is defined as “generated from natural sources, unpaved roads, agricultural activities, earth moving, or other activities typically conducted in rural areas.” The bill currently has 112 cosponsors. Noem is still pushing for adoption of her bill to ensure that the EPA follows through on its recent pledge to not regulate farm dust.


WIR REPORT NACo Western Interstate Region sets priorities By Ryan Yates ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE

NACo’s Western Interstate Region (WIR) board of directors navigated several critical policy issues facing county governments in the West at its recent fall board meeting. Members considered the impacts of an increasingly complex political landscape in Washington, D.C. and the continued financial hardships facing all levels of government. For 2012, the WIR will direct its advocacy efforts in five key areas: • • • • •

educating lawmakers and the public about the unique policy challenges facing Western counties maintaining mandatory funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) regulatory relief economic recovery, and opposing top-down federal land-use decisions.

“WIR will place special emphasis on educating new members of Congress about the unique challenges facing Western counties,” said Ron Walter, WIR president and Chelan County, Wash. commissioner, “and will ramp up efforts to influence administration officials who are writing rules and regulations that may place significant burdens on, and further disadvantage, Western communities.” WIR plans to build upon the advocacy success achieved during the 2011 PILT fly-in, funded by the WIR Public Lands Trust. In September, the WIR brought two dozen elected county officials to Washington to educate and inform nearly 100 lawmakers and congressional staff about the PILT program and highlight the urgency to provide funding for continued mandatory payments to counties with tax-exempt federal land within their boundaries. The WIR board cited numerous new regulatory burdens from the Environmental Protection Agency that pose significant problems, compounding the financial challenges affecting Western counties from the ongoing economic downturn. At the forefront, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ guidance on waters of the U.S. has implications for counties Continued on page 8

WIR Board Meeting Report October 2011 From Gordon L. Cruickshank WIR Board Representative Thursday October 6th I attended the WIR Board meeting held in Lihue, Kaua’i. Today we started off with a welcome to the island. We listened to presentations on the following; 1. USDA Forest Service coordination of National Partnerships for conservation. 2. Kaua’i National Wildlife Refuge – this presentation was on how they work to invite folks to participate and become involved. How local government has to work to be heard and how to be heard you have to go to the federal government offices to get their attention. 3. NOAA did a presentation on Digital Coastal Information and how they are working to collect data to produce a larger picture of the coastal regions. (Guess we don’t have to worry until the ocean gets to Idaho) 4. Cope did the presentation on the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy is in the process. Cope is doing a great job representing us on this committee. More fuels management is a portion of the goal for this effort. 5. Cope then did a report on the NACo’s Western Region Caucus. The stimulus funding from prior years did not create the jobs as it was intended. Most folks don’t even know a Western Region Caucus exists and the need to help get the word out that this is a bipartisan effort to help the local grass roots efforts on western issues. We discussed creating a fund to support brining the eastern congressional folks and others to the west to show them western issues and how the decisions made in congress impacts rural areas. 6. I did a presentation with Ryan Yates of NACo on where the SRS efforts are. The 5 percent ramp down of the funding was discussed. Ryan provided some input as to the House members working to create a stop gap with funding and including the management of the natural resources included. On the Senate side there will be a bill proposed, however nothing is being discussed about forest management. At this point the Senate and the House are not together on the topic and it remains undecided as to how the SRS will be reauthorized at this time. After discussion the WIR Board will support reauthorization and work with the attempt to get back to management of the natural resources. We also discussed how to engage counties who were having trouble supporting NACo and the issues they represent for counties. We need to do a better job of educating the counties as to how NACo can help individual counties by providing a strong voice for them on issues. 7. Ryan did a report on the recent PILT fly in and how it provided much input to the congressional folks. Some counties paid their own way as they felt the issue important to their counties that they wanted to be involved. During the event they met with 90 members of congress or their staff. The word is that PILT will be reauthorized for another five years at full funding. November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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WIR REPORT with public infrastructure such as roads, ditches, flood control channels and culverts. It also has implications for other Clean Water Act (CWA) programs beyond Section 404, the dredge and fill permit program.

economic development challenges with the board, which also discussed priority concerns that will help direct future actions.”

Other areas of concern include stormwater runoff from logging roads, impact on upcoming pesticide permits, Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, water quality designations and total maximum daily loads. WIR will continue to pressure the EPA and the Corps to withdraw the draft guidance. The meeting was held Oct. 6–7 and hosted by Kauai County, Hawaii. The agenda offered board members presentations from a host of key partners including the USDA Forest Service, Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Congressional Western Caucus, as well as state and local leaders including Kauai Council Chair Jay Furfaro, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. and State Sen. Ronald D. Kouchi. “The Kauai County Council was pleased to host the WIR board meeting,” Furfaro said. “We shared our history and

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COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

WIR is a NACo affiliate and is dedicated to the promotion of Western interests within NACo. Its membership consists of 15 Western states with membership funded through their individual state associations.


COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Blaine County Blaine County is a unique area offering exciting tourist destinations, wilderness adventures, a “business-friendly” environment, and supportive, flourishing communities. It is located in South Central Idaho. Most Blaine County residents live in the Wood River Valley along State Highway 75 in the western half of the county. This area includes all of the county’s incorporated cities and towns except Carey, which is located in the south-central part of the county at the junction of US 20 with US 26/93. The County has a varied type of topography with several attractions to offer.

The Salmon River, also known as the River of No Return, with its headwaters in the north and the Snake River in the south offer solitude and spectacular white water rafting. Bald Mountain, due to its great variety of terrain and snow conditions, has been consistently rated as one of the finest ski facilities in the United States. The Sawtooth, Boulder, Smokey, and Pioneer Mountain ranges provide high alpine country as beautiful and inspiring as any to be found in the United States and breathtaking heli-ski opportunities. The Great Rift area in the southeast portion of the County is a unique land form with lava formations similar to a lunar landscape. It is this diversity of environment, appreciation of the natural beauty, recreational opportunity and quality of life that has attracted many people to Blaine County to live on a full-time basis. Blaine County is home to the major ski resort, Sun Valley, creating a very large tourist destination. Sun Valley has been treasured since 1936 when it was developed as the first des-

County Fast Facts County Seat: Hailey Courthouse: 206 1st Ave South Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Population: 22, 328

tination ski resort in the United States. This year Sun Valley celebrates its 75th birthday. In recent years its appeal as a summer playground with golfing, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and festivals of music, theater and art has added to its popularity. Blaine County is home to many unique festivals and events. Most recently there was the Trailing of the Sheep festival. The Trailing of the Sheep is a time of collecting, remembering and documenting western history by the people who have and are living it. There are stories of the Basque, Scottish, and Peruvian heritage in the industry with its music, dance, and tree-carving art. And the tales of the nomadic life of herders in their camps high in back country mountains stories of saving sheep from bear and cougar, from the ravages of drought, and from death in raging snow storms. The Festival is making history by finding and collecting disappearing western stories. This event has enticed people from across the United States to the area so they can enjoy the beauty of Sun Valley in autumn with its hillsides of brilliant fall colors and warm Indian summer days, when its restaurants and galleries mix up a quiet, fall blend of magic for visitors. In the midst of this, the weekend is a celebration of the annual October tradition moving sheep from summer to winter pastures through the Valley.

Wagon Days is another unique celebration in Blaine County held every Labor Day Weekend. The Big Hitch Parade is the highlight of the celebration. It has grown into one of the largest non-motorized parades in the West, displaying a November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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NACo CORNER number of museum-quality buggies, carriages, tacks, carts, buckboards, and wagons of every variety in existence today. The Wagon Days Big Hitch, historic wagons used to haul ore from the area, are powered by an authentic 20-draft mule jerkline. Adding spice to the parade is a lively assortment of authentically costumed individuals, and numerous breeds of horses, from Arabs to Morgans to Pasos. Plus, professional and scholastic marching bands from around the state and the intermountain west. A kids’ carnival, pancake breakfast, and rubber duck race in the Big Wood River round out the weekend.

This year’s Blaine County Fair finds success with entire community. The Blaine County Fair has increased participation throughout the entire community over the last 2 years. This is primarily due to increased leadership, better marketing strategies, and activity planning that incorporates the likes of all agriculture and non-agriculture community members. The Blaine County fair board and the UI Extension/4-H office have worked to unite the community and expand their outreach and participation in the 2011 fair season. The Blaine County Fair found great success by incorporating Family Fun Day, a day full of live music, a climbing wall, yummy fair foods, a bouncy house, and much more. In addition, the UI Extension/4-H office in Blaine County is working hard to promote 4-H clubs and activities to non-traditional 4-H communities, such as robotics and science and technology. This diversity in youth programming will help broaden and support the Blaine County Fair. With growing community support and participation, the Blaine County Fair will continue to cultivate ways to build upon the agricultural heritage that still exists in the Wood River Valley.

Education Public schools in Blaine County are administered by the Blaine County School District. There are two public high schools in the county, one Middle School and four 10

COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

Elementary schools. Private schools include The Community School in Sun Valley, and The Sage School in Hailey. The community values its high quality educational opportunities. Like many areas of Idaho, Blaine County is rural and remote; therefore, access to a full-fledged university campus is limited. However, the College of Southern Idaho has operated a satellite campus in Blaine County for 26 years, and through a number of partnerships, CSI has been able to provide access to a range of higher education resources here in central Idaho, including more than 60 on-site academic classes, a program of adult basic skill development, English as a Second Language programs, and diverse community education opportunities. Approximately 1,000 people participate in these programs every year. In particular, the CSI Blaine County Campus works closely with Blaine County School District in order to promote a vibrant educational culture and to encourage a lifelong trajectory of learning: • CSI currently is implementing a large grant from the Albertson Foundation at Silver Creek High School, BCSD’s alternative school, in order to help more at-risk students access post-secondary education. The program includes classes taught for SCHS students by CSI college instructors; college and career advising; and community service. The goal is not only to have all of these students graduate from high school, but to do so with a head start on college. • CSI provides dual credit opportunities for high school students throughout Blaine County, so students can get college credits while they are completing their high school coursework. • CSI and BCSD collaborate on a “Grow Your Own” program to help more BCSD paraprofessionals continue their education and achieve teaching certification. Not only does this help provide a pool of qualified potential teachers for BCSD, it also promotes a culture of education – the schoolchildren see the paraprofessionals studying and going to college, and so college seems more accessible to them, too. • CSI presents a week-long Spanish immersion program each summer that helps many BCSD faculty and staff develop their Spanish language skills, which supports BCSD’s dual immersion program and the district’s ability to serve the many limited English proficiency families in the area. A CSI motto is “Stay near. Go far!” Educational partnerships such as this help people to expand their horizons and their skills sets while staying close to home in beautiful rural Idaho.


Airport Blaine County continues to seek a solution to its airport challenges. Because of larger size commercial aircraft regularly using Friedman Memorial Airport, the FAA requires the design of the airfield to be modified. Because of the existing space constraints at Friedman, the community’s first choice was to build a entirely new airport south of Bellevue, with the preferred site about 25 minutes south of Hailey. However, during the Environmental Impact Statement study, it was found that both wildlife at the preferred site as well as an estimated cost of over $250 million would be seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Although there has been no indication from the Board what a final solution might be, the community, in cooperation with the FAA, is now studying what could possibly be achieved, at least in the short term, by modifying the existing airfield to get as close to compliance as possible.

Blaine County Land, Water & Wildlife Program Working to protect land, water & wildlife for future generations In 2008, voters in Blaine County passed Proposition 1 – The Land, Water and Wildlife levy, with the goal of protecting clean water, wildlife habitat and working farms and ranches in the county. The two-year levy has raised nearly $3.5 million to help protect clean water in the Big Wood and Little Wood River watersheds, preserve fish and wildlife habitat and to protect working farms, ranches and open space. “Voter approval was an historic achievement for Blaine County itself, and because we became the first county in Idaho to have funding to protect the landscapes that our citizens cherish,” said LAB Chair and former County Commissioner, Alan

Reynolds. The language of the Land, Water and Wildlife Levy required formation of a Levy Advisory Board (LAB), a citizen’s oversight committee. The committee’s primary responsibility is to recommend the highest and best use of the funds to achieve optimal conservation value and public benefit. The LAB is responsible for creating a transparent and standardized process for reviewing and ranking potential projects and clearly defining the types of lands and waters to be protected by the levy funds. The all-volunteer LAB worked to complete the necessary application materials, criteria checklists and a complete program guide with the help of generous public input and began accepting applications in early 2011. The LAB is currently working on two projects, both in partnership with The Nature Conservancy to purchase conservation easements on ranches in the Little Wood River Valley. Both projects propose to protect wildlife habitat and migration corridors as well as environmental, agricultural and community values of Blaine County and the Pioneer Mountains. Conservation goals of the program include: • Preserve working farms & ranches, agricultural lands, natural areas and important open spaces. • Protect water quality, rivers and streams, riparian corridors, floodplains, wetlands and water rights. • Protect and preserve wildlife and their migration corridors • Provide public access to water bodies in the Big and Little Wood River watersheds. • Transfer development rights from sending areas to receiving areas. • Support public/private partnerships. • Provide for proper stewardship of conservation projects. Information about the program, including conservation and project criteria and all application materials is available online at the program’s website: http://www.wix.com/ processblaine/blainelwwp or by contacting Blaine County Land Use Services at 219 1st Ave. South in Hailey, 208788-5570.

MEET THE ELECTED OFFICIALS Clerk JoLynn Drage Assessor Valdi Pace

Commissioner Lawrence “Larry” Schoen

Sheriff Gene Ramsey

Coroner Russell Mikel

Commissioner Tom Bowman Commissioner Angenie McCleary

Prosecutor Jim Thomas

Treasurer Vicki Dick

November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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LEGISLATIVE PRIORITES The IAC Legislative Committee met on November 9, 2011 to review legislative resolutions adopted at the IAC Annual Conference and set legislative priorities for the 2012 Legislative Session. In all, the committee discussed ten resolutions sponsored by IAC members and affiliates. Of the ten resolutions, the committee prioritized seven legislative proposals and tabled three others pending further input from resolution sponsors. The committee selected legislation designed to reform the process by which courts fix the costs associated with involuntary mental health commitments as the top priority for IAC during the 2012 Legislative Session. If enacted, the legislation will require more accurate information be provided to a court before costs are fixed, provide notification of proceedings to the affected county, and require that the proceeding to fix cost be held in the county of the patient’s residency. The legislation is intended to reduce non-voluntary mental health commitment costs to counties when it is determined that those committed have sufficient resources to pay for the cost of their commitment. Other top priorities include: • Legislation to amend state purchasing law to exempt the purchase of food and fuel from purchasing requirements, which, If enacted, would allow counties to take advantage of possible lower food and fuel prices on the spot rather than having to go through the traditional procurement process. • Legislation to allow for a one-time property tax reduction in the indigent fund each time excess funds from the sale of tax deeded property is deposited in the indigent fund. This change would enable the levy to revert back to the previous year if no additional funds are deposited. • Legislation that will move the write-in filing deadline back to accommodate for ballot design costs and to establish that election ballots do not need to be designed to include write-in candidates under each office title if after the deadline for filing a declaration of intent as a write-in candidate, no qualified write-in candidate has filed a declaration. Amending Idaho law to allow ballot designs to be modified would help to control ballot printing costs, simplify counting procedures, and remove voter confusion. The Committee also voted to include several housekeeping proposals as part of IAC’s priority legislation. 12

COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

These proposals include: • Legislation to remove the statutory term limits imposed on the Board of Community Guardians. Removing term limits would allow existing board members to remain, eliminating the challenge many counties face in replacing experienced board members once their term has expired. • Legislation to amend Idaho’s purchasing law to allow the Board of County Commissioners to delegate purchasing authority to other elected officials and department heads. This legislation is needed to bring statue in line with existing practice. • Legislation to provide consistency in statute and reduce the burden on depository institutions in meeting different timelines for affidavit filings. The committee tabled three proposals with the request that the sponsors provide the committee with additional information prior to proceeding further. These tabled proposals include: • Legislation to authorize the county coroner to cremate unclaimed bodies and provide immunity to morticians authorized by the county coroner to cremate unclaimed bodies. • Legislation to require that all assignments or transfers of interest in mortgages or trust deeds be recorded and to require demonstration of beneficial interest in mortgages or trust deeds as a condition of foreclosure. • Legislation needed to clean up statute and bring terminology up to current terms regarding surveys and surveyors. The committee also instructed staff to meet with representatives from the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and Idaho Chiefs of Police Association to discuss ways to simplify and possibly amend state law exempting certain police officer information from public disclosure including addresses. The committee briefly discussed other legislative matters that may or may not arise during the upcoming session including the constitutionality of county misdemeanor probation services, cost of supervision fees associated with county misdemeanor probation, possible personal property tax definitional changes, and a possible exemption for solar panel power generation facilities. As no official legislation concerning these matters was before the committee, no position was taken on these or other non IAC sponsored legislative proposals. The Legislative Committee will next meet on the afternoon of December 1st.


CALENDAR | SEPTEMBER - FEBRUARY FEATURED TRAINING & CONFERENCES Fall Assessors Conference

November 30 • Boise

Associated Taxpayers Conference

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December 1 • Boise

IAC Board Meeting December 2

ISA & IJA Winter Conference

December 12-14 • Boise

IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference and Affiliate Meetings February 6 - 9 • Boise

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Idaho Legislature Convenes January 9 • Boise

NACo Legislative Conference

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March 3 - 7 • Washington D.C.

Social Services Conference

April 17 - 19 • Idaho Falls

IAC Board Meeting

April 25- 27 • Sun Valley

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November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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ASSOCIATION NEWS IAC Annual Conference Overview Len Humphries, Fremont County Sheriff

September in Idaho is one of the prettiest times of the year and fall is my favorite season. Since the IAC Annual Conference was held in Moscow this year, it gave me a great opportunity to view some of Idaho’s beautiful scenery as I drove to the conference. I was not disappointed as the fall colors were coming on and while the weather was a little cool at times, it was not bad. Having spent most of my life in southeast Idaho, I always enjoy a trip north and seeing all of the mountains with their varied foliage.

IAC’s trusty leaders keeping the meeting on track.

I have to say that the presentation which Jeff Thredgold made was the one that I remember the best. I am impressed that he was willing to take the time to come and speak to us. As a top economist with his background and experience, I am sure he is in high demand as a public speaker. There is so much doom and gloom in the news today, especially when it comes to the economy. The impact that we are faced with daily because of that and the struggles we face both in our public positions taking care of the people we represent and in our personal lives is discouraging. To hear some optimism for once was refreshing. I just hope that he is right.

Patty Weeks and Jim McNall experiencing the great outdoors

during the Fun Run and Walk.

The vendors who came and supported us were great and deserve a huge thank you for making the conference possible. If you did not have a chance to attend this one, I hope to see you at the next.

The conference itself was worth the effort to attend and judging from the number of people who attended, there were quite a few who agree. It is always reassuring to find out that you are not alone when it comes to dealing with some issues and hearing about some of the results that others have experienced, whether positive or negative, is somewhat comforting. The opening session, the speakers and the breakout sessions were for the most part, quite interesting and while the food was not always to my taste, it was not bad and it was probably best that I did not select the menu. The first meeting that I attended was with Rep. Labrador. It was my first exposure to him and I came away impressed and pleased that we have representatives like him to watch out for us in Washington. 14

COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

Enjoying some social time in between meetings.


IAC Award Winners’ Spotlight Sydney Duncombe Award for Excellence in County Government In order to promote continuing improvement in county government in the state of Idaho, and in recognition of individuals residing in this great state who have made significant contributions to the furtherance of county government, the Idaho Association of Counties’ Board of Directors established the “H. SYDNEY DUNCOMBE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT”, in honor of Dr. H. Sydney Duncombe. For many years Dr. Duncombe was a professor of political science and served as Director of the Bureau of Public Affairs Research for the University of Idaho. During his tenure, Dr. Duncombe taught and assisted hundreds of students and county officials, providing to all a better understanding of county and local government in Idaho. He was the primary author of and is responsible for the publication of the “Handbook for County Elected Officials in Idaho.” He was the first director of the Idaho Division of Financial Management and created methods for improving and updating the budget and finance process for local government.

Mills Adler Winners

Idaho Association of County Assessors: Mellisa Stewart, Clearwater County Assessor Not Pictured: Idaho Prosecuting Attorney’s Association: Dustin Smith, Oneida County Prosecuting Attorney Idaho Sheriffs’ Association: Wayne Rausch, Latah County Sheriff

Bill Thompson, Latah County Prosecuting Attorney

Mills Adler Award A strong and effective organization is dependent upon the involvement of many dedicated individuals. IAC (including all of its component associations) strives to be a strong and effective organization, supporting the important role of county government, from which its members can draw knowledge, gain experience, and share problems. Such a goal cannot be achieved without members that are willing to give of themselves for the betterment of the organization. In order to promote continuing involvement within our associations and in recognition of elected officials that have made significant contributions to the improvement of the Idaho Association of Counties through their dedicated services, this award was initiated. This award is named in honor of two distinguished county elected officials: the late Darwin Mills, Lincoln County Sheriff, and the late Betty Adler, Payette County Treasurer. Both Darwin and Betty exemplified the qualities all county elected officials attempt to strive for.

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NACo CORNER

Idaho Association of County Coroners: Lonny Duce, Shoshone County Coroner

Idaho Association of Recorders & Clerks: Betty Dressen, Payette County Clerk

Idaho Association of Commissioners & Clerks: Gordon Cruickshank, Valley County Commissioner

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Representing you before Congress and the Administration

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Helping you better serve your residents

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Saving you and your taxpayers’ money

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Raising public understanding of county government, and

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Restoring the Federal - County Partnership

The Voice of America’s Counties Idaho Association of County Treasurers: Tom Malzahn, Kootenai County Treasurer 16

COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

www.naco.org


COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Boise County

What’s happening in Boise County?

County Fast Facts County Seat: Idaho City Courthouse: 420 Main Street Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Population: 7,445 Website: boisecounty.us

Then and Now...

Idaho City – 1894. Showing a portion of Main Street with the buildings that would later become the Boise County Courthouse opposite the County Offices in the Miner’s Exchange photo credit Idaho City Historic Preservation Commission

Idaho City is the county seat of Boise County located about 36 miles northeast of the City of Boise. After gold was discovered in 1862 in the Boise Basin, it became home to over 30,000 people trying to strike it rich. The area was one of the largest sources of gold ever found. Many of the old buildings from this pioneer era can be seen today in Idaho City. Idaho City was a typical gold town with a rowdy atmosphere, saloons and some lawlessness. Nevertheless, it flourished. Bad luck hit Idaho City with destructive fires. First, in 1865, when most buildings were destroyed. Then fires in 1867, 1868 and 1871 also consumed most of the town. Because of the great wealth in Idaho City from the gold, the town was rebuilt quickly each time it burned. When the gold began to run out and became harder to find, the crowds left as quickly as they came. Many of the old brick homes and businesses as well as the plank boardwalks remain today. The town is an excellent example of historical architecture and the atmosphere of a mid-1800’s gold rush town.

Idaho City - Today. Boise County Courthouse and the Miner's Exchange (County offices) on the right. photo credit Idaho City Historic Preservation Commission

Local Students Help with Boise Basin Stream Restoration - Mining Comes Full Circle For decades miners traveled to Boise County looking for gold and other precious metals. While looking to get rich the landscape suffered. Trees and streams all but destroyed. Up until 1939, miners would dredge the area around streams throughout the Boise Basin effectively disconnecting the stream channel from its natural floodplain. Piles of dredged materials along the stream prevent natural channel migration, and the lack of streamside vegetation allows the sun to beat down on the stream. This has caused stream temperatures to rise significantly, hindering fish populations. Trout Unlimited, U.S. Forest Service, Southwest Idaho RAC and private landowners have been funding and restoring the floodplain and creating a riparian "green ribbon" along streams in Boise County since 2006. To help restore what once was, students from Idaho City, Horseshoe Bend and Garden Valley pulled out their shovels, gloves and work clothes to plant trees along these new floodplains. Boise County used “old” Title III Forest Funds and has provided Boise County students with an annual field trip November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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since 2009. These students have planted hundreds of cottonwoods and willows. We hope the students return someday to see their handwork, a shaded stream where fish are doing well, maybe as a biologist or a forester, and remember when it was just rock cobble.

Service's approval of the CuMo mining exploration project because of risks to clean water and wildlife. Their challenge is not asking for injunctive relief at this time and Mosquito may continue with exploration. Both exploration and mine development are extremely controversial because the Boise River watershed provides over 20% of the City of Boise’s drinking water supply. The CuMo Project has already committed investment to improve and maintain local roads near the exploration site in Boise County. Mosquito estimates operational feasibility could be achieved within two to three years. Boise County anticipates the project, if developed, will bring new business and income to equipment and service providers, help maintain Boise County’s tax base and serve as a catalyst for further development in the area.

photo credit Jamie Anderson

CuMo Project Mining exploration at Mosquito's CuMo Project has started on approximately 2,885 acres of National Forest land about 14 miles northwest of Idaho City. Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines Ltd. acquired the claims in 2004 and has performed exploratory drilling on public and private lands since that time. While previous exploration suggests this area contains a significant deposit of molybdenum, further exploration and study are needed to determine the project’s potential next steps. The U.S. Forest Service has signed the plan of operations for construction of up to 10.2 miles of new temporary roads and up to 137 drill sites and 259 drill holes in the project area. The Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Rivers United and Golden Eagle Audubon Society are challenging the Forest

Small Dredging Operations will require additional EPA permits (NPDES) in 2012 photo credit unknown

Recreational Dredge Mining

With record-high gold prices, hundreds of hobby miners take to Boise County streams and rivers each summer. Boise County residents and visitors alike come to the mining districts of Idaho to experience the history and enjoy our clean streams and rivers. These small dredging operations bring positive economic return for Boise County and contribute to the diversity and quality of recreation opportunities.

MEET THE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Assessor Brent Adamson

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Coroner Pamela Garlock

Commissioner Jamie Anderson

Clerk Mary Prisco

Commissioner Terry C. Day

COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

Commissioner Robert Fry

Sheriff Ben Rober

Prosecutor RJ Twilegar

Treasurer April Hutchings


Boise River Wildlife Linkage Partnership More mule deer are killed by vehicles on a 22-mile stretch of roadway east of Boise than on any other stretch of road in southwest Idaho.

Processing Old Stockpiles from Gold Hill Mine photo credit Jamie Anderson

Gold Hill Mine Gold Hill Reclamation & Mining have been operating in Boise County since the fall of 2009. In their first phase they are loading and transporting abandoned mine dump material currently stockpiled at the old Gold Hill mine located in Quartzburg. A second site in Boise County is used for crushing and processing. The material is further concentrated at a facility in the City of Boise with final processing at a smelter in North Idaho. The company is working closely with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Trout Unlimited meeting and exceeding environmental standards. No chemicals are used in their processes. Future phases could include underground mining.

Motorists drive over the first road in Idaho retrofitted for wildlife to move under it through a 15 foot high and roughly 30 foot wide opening. photo credit BRWLP

In 2009, Boise County joined a collaborative working group called the Boise River Wildlife Linkage Partnership (BRWLP). The mission of the group is to actively seek mitigation solutions within the State Highway 21cooridor that will maintain wildlife habitat and which effectively reduces wildlife-vehicle collisions and the undesirable impacts they have on people and wildlife. From the beginning, the BRWLP has imagined long-term fixes for Hwy 21’s vehicle-wildlife conflicts. Working toward this end, the group identified locations frequently used by deer and elk and hot spots where most accidents occurred. They had professional knowledge of the roadway and what was needed for a permanent structure to provide safe passage for wildlife and motorists. Federal stimulus money in the 2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) created an opportunity for financing. When the call went out for shovel-ready projects, the Idaho Dept. of Transportation submitted a proposal to build a wildlife underpass at milepost 18.2 on Hwy 21. This underpass became a reality in 2010 for reducing vehiclewildlife collisions. When the fencing is complete, an estimated 80% of the deer and elk currently crossing this section of Hwy 21 will move under the road instead of over it.

Cameras mounted inside the underpass take photographs of use. photo credit BRWLP

November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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Applications are currently being accepted for the 2012 Charles Nickel Scholarship The Charles A. Nickel Scholarship was established in 1996 in honor of Charlie Nickel, husband of former IAC President Zelda Nickel. This scholarship was created to help the children of county elected officials and county employees with the rising cost of higher education. Scholarships are awarded to students planning to attend two and four-year Idaho colleges or universities, who are children or legal dependents of county elected officials or county employees. Students must be Idaho residents attending Idaho schools on a full-time basis and may be enrolled in either academic or vocational education programs leading towards a degree or certification. To date over eighty scholarships have been awarded to students across the state.

these elected positions for any county in Idaho: County Clerk, County Commissioner, County Treasurer, County Sheriff, County Coroner, County Prosecuting Attorney, County Assessor. To be elgible for the scholarship, your parent or grandparent must hold one of these positions. Can a prior scholarship winner apply again? Yes, if you have previously recieved a scholarship award you are more than welcome to apply again the following year.

The application can be found at www.idcounties.org under the IAC Scholarship Fund tab. Completed applications are due March 12, 2012

Frequently-Asked Questions I currently work full-time or 20 hours + a week for the County and I am also a full time student, would I be eligible to apply for the IAC Scholarship? Unfortunately this scholarship is only being made available for children and step-children of parent's who work for the County or children or grand-children of current County Elected Officials . I work for the County and am raising my grand-child, would that make make my grand-child eligible to apply for this scholarship? Your grand-child would be eligible to apply if you are the sole Guardian for them and can provide proof of guardianship with their scholarship application. What does it mean to be employed by a County? If someone from our office were to call the payroll office for the county of employment of your parent and verify that their name is on the payroll for that County (meaning their paycheck comes directly from the County). What does it mean to be a County Elected Official? County elected officials are currently serving in one of

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COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011

The Idaho Association of Counties Scholarship Fund has collected the best recipes from county-elected officials, members, family, and friends and compiled them into an attractive keepsake cookbook. All proceeds will go to benefit the IAC Scholarship Fund. The cookbook contains over 350 well-loved recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and many others. Recipes include the contributor’s name, enabling you to easily find the recipes of family and friends!

Our Price: $19.08 ($18 + tax) Order by December 16th to ensure delivery by Christmas

*Shipping: A shipping fee of $5 will be applied per cookbook that is mailed due to postage and packaging costs. Shipping will be waived if you pick yours up at IAC (700 W Washington Boise, ID 83702). Cookbooks will not be distributed until payment is recieved.

Order today at: http://www.tinyurl.com/IACCOOKBOOK


IAC SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

Huckleberry Muffins

Submitted by Deb Gaither, Valley County

Ingredients: 1 1/2 c. All-purpose flour 3/4 c. White sugar 1/2 tsp. Salt 2 tsp. Baking powder 1/3 c. Vegetable oil 1 Egg

1/3 c. Milk 1 c. Fresh huckleberries 1/2 c. White sugar 1/3 c. All-purpose flout 1/4 c. Butter, cubed 1/2 tsp. Ground cinnamon

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in huckleberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Provolone Loaf

Submitted by Jeri Peterson, Bonner County

Ingredients: 1/2-3/4 lb thinly sliced provolone cheese 8 oz cream cheese 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped 1/2 c chopped pistachios 1 container of pesto sauce Directions: Cream together cream cheese, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and pistachios. In loaf pan layer: provolone cheese (3 slices), then spread a thin amount of cream cheese mixture, provolone cheese again, then a thin layer of pesto. Repeat until ingredients are gone. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve, turn loaf pan upside down on to a platter. If it doesn’t release easily, wrap the pan in a hot dish towel for a few minutes and try again. Garnish with sliced strawberries if desired. Serve with your favorite crackers and/or sliced baguette.

Clip and add this page to your IAC Scholarship Cookbook!

November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS REPRESENTATIVE MARV HAGEDORN (R) District 20 | Ada County If you are stranded on a desert island, what one book would you bring with you? A Book of waterproof matches! Who is your favorite President? Ronald Reagan When you were six, what did you want to be when you grew up? A farmer so I could drive all that big equipment. What’s your hometown’s hidden gem? The graciousness of it’s people. What is your motto or advice you live by? “Be Prepared” and do what you believe is right regardless of if you think you might be in the minority.

REPRESENTATIVE DONNA PENCE (D) District 25 | Gooding County If you are stranded on a desert island, what one book would you bring with you? Encyclopedia of Edible Desert Island Plants and Survival Techniques. Being practical is part of my being. Who is your favorite President? Abraham Lincoln For being a courageous leader in a critical time for our nation. . When you were six, what did you want to be when you grew up? Tetherball Champion. That was the consuming challenge of every recess at our school. What’s your hometown’s hidden gem? Little City of the Rocks north of Gooding. My family has spent countless hours hiking and cross-country skiing in that area.. What is your motto or advice you live by? The Golden Rule “ Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” This would make this planet a much more peaceful place to live.

REPRESENTATIVE MACK SHIRLEY (R) District 34 | Fremont & Madison Counties If you are stranded on a desert island, what one book would you bring with you? “Roughing it Easy”, a book on how to camp and cook outdoors ...and survive! Who is your favorite President? My favorite President is Abraham Lincoln. He was honest, full of courage, and pulled the Union back together. When you were six, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was 6 my first goal was to pass 1st grade and keep going from there on. I made it & did keep going! What’s your hometown’s hidden gem? My hometown is Rexburg and BYU-Idaho is our crown jewel, but the restored Centennial Carousel is the hidden gem. What is your motto or advice you live by? My motto is..Plan your future carefully, but do it in pencil! The motto I live by is, ”Stay alive for another 5”! 22

COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011


MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS SENATOR BART DAVIS (R) District 33 | Bonneville County If you are stranded on a desert island, what one book would you bring with you? One book: Scriptures first, then Mason’s Manual so I could be ready for the Senate after rescue. Who is your favorite President? Regan and Washington When you were six, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was six: I don’t think I was ever six. But if I was, I am sure I wanted to be an attorney. What’s your hometown’s hidden gem? My wife Marion. Second place goes to Reed’s Dairy for the great ice cream. What is your motto or advice you live by? Robert E Lee “Duty is the sublimist word in our language. You can never do more. You should never wish to do less.” SENATOR NICOLE LEFAVOUR (D) District 19 | Ada County If you are stranded on a desert island, what one book would you bring with you? The Random House encyclopedia I got in high school. One huge book with amazing pictures and how to information. I’m pretty sure it would have how to tan a hide and build several kinds of snares in it. Who is your favorite President? Barack Obama is the only president I’ve met in person. He is my age and generation and a man with an amazing mind and memory for people. When you were six, what did you want to be when you grew up? What I wanted to be changed fairly frequently. At some point I did entertain the thought that I could be President. Fortunately my dad didn’t discourage me. Though I quickly switched to wanting to be a teacher, which indeed I did become. What is your motto or advice you live by? Compassion is essential to public service. Lives depend on the policy we pass.

SENATOR JOHN MCGEE (R) District 10 | Canyon County If you are stranded on a desert island, what one book would you bring with you? The Bible. Who is your favorite President? Abraham Lincoln. When you were six, what did you want to be when you grew up? Professional Baseball Player. What’s your hometown’s hidden gem? Indian Creek. What is your motto or advice you live by? The Golden Rule.

November/December 2011 • COUNTY COMMENTARY

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NACo CORNER ICRMP NEWS

ICRMP Risk Management Discount Program Will your county save money?

At the recent Idaho Association of Counties Annual Conference in September, ICRMP introduced a new way to save money: ICRMP's Risk Management Discount Program. It provides a discount to ICRMP members who proactively participate in risk management measures, utilizing online policy review and training, targeted to reduce claims. Analysis of the past 2 years' claims activity across the ICRMP membership shows that more than half of the claims are in 2 areas: auto and employment. The Risk Management Discount Program encourages members to do certain risk management efforts targeting those high claims areas = driving and employment. This program expands existing ICRMP risk management efforts including in-person training, legal advice and consulting via phone by your Risk Management team. This discount program adds to those efforts by allowing ICRMP to reach more of you more often, delivers consistent training content when you need it and provides verifiable training records to you and ICRMP. Training budgets have been slashed if not eliminated in many places and training is so important in this increasingly complex world.

This discount program is like a school's honor roll. Your county does certain things each year to get the next discount. A coordinator from your county and staff at ICRMP work together to launch & monitor the training and policy reviews. The Discount: by March 1, 2012, the ICRMP county members that complete the Risk Management Discount Program checklist and have a minimum of 80% of their employees complete the policy reviews and training will receive a 5% discount for 2012-2013 policy year. To get started with this year's checklist, contact ICRMP at intake@icrmp.org or via phone at 208-336-3100. Take advantage of ICRMP resources and tools to help manage risk and get a 5% discount. Do this Risk Management Discount Program.

Join us for the 2012 Midwinter Legislative Conference “COUNTIES: Where Rubber Meets the Road” February 6-9 Boise Riverside Hotel

REGISTER AT: http://www.tinyurl.com/IACMWCONF 24

COUNTY COMMENTARY • November/December 2011


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